The MacFarlane Primary School in Katherine, Northern Territory increased school attendance by engaging students through the introduction of an Indigenous cultural program which presents subjects such as science and geography from an Indigenous perspective.

A group of schoolgirls from the remote Northern Territory community of Ngukurr travelled to Darwin recently to explore future academic opportunities. The students visited several boarding schools, Charles Darwin University (CDU) and Government House, and met with local Aboriginal women who spoke about their own experiences working towards successful careers and being role models for young women in their own communities.

Taryn Oxenburgh has taken some risks and is now reaping the rewards of a successful legal career. She graduated with a Bachelor of Laws with Honours from James Cook University then completed an Indigenous entry program to the Public Service, and was recently admitted to the Supreme Court of the ACT.

With school returning at Gunbalanya today, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, said it was a timely reminder of the need for children in remote communities to be ready for school on day one of the new school year.

Minister Scullion commended the community of Gunbalanya for its support and encouragement to get students back to school today. Schools in other remote communities will resume later this month.

"We all want the very best for our children and we know a good education is a key to giving them the best start in life," Minister Scullion said.

Studying and living independently in Adelaide was difficult for Kelli Gunter of Ceduna but now her future is looking bright and her goals clear after receiving support through the Indigenous Youth Mobility Pathways project.

Parliament has today passed amendments to the Higher Education Support Act 2003, to improve support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at university.

Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, said that there had been an 85 per cent increase over the last decade in the number of Indigenous undergraduate students enrolled in university. However, retention and completion rates significantly lag behind those of other domestic students.

The Coalition Government will work with the Western Australian Government and other stakeholders, including Indigenous leaders and the local government, to develop a youth engagement strategy for the Goldfields region.

Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, and the Member for O'Connor, Rick Wilson, said today an important part of the strategy would be to engage local youths, particularly Indigenous youths, in the mining and pastoral industries.